ICT project management knowledge communication model for Malaysian public sector in the digital era

Abstract

Knowledge Communication (KC) refers to an approach of integrating knowledge to facilitate decision-making management in organisations. In the Malaysian public sector (MPS), it is fundamental for Information Technology (IT) experts and decision makers to have mutual understanding in making reliable decisions because they are responsible in planning and implementing ICT plans. However, multifunctional, frequently decentralized teams increase the complexity of the organization and project management as well. Hence, it increases the need for efficient communication, and a systematic and well-defined KC will facilitate the clarity of project management. More investigations are in need to arrive at a greater depth perspective of IT decision-making management particularly within the public sector context. Realising the importance of having KC in any project, this research identified the elements that can overcome the KC challenges in project management. This research developed and empirically verified a new model Knowledge Communication in ICT Project Management (KC-ICTPM) that can influence KC in ICT project management for MPS. Qualitative approach using case study and thematic analysis was used for the research. The conceptual model was developed based on the review of the existing KC literature and the Malaysia ICT Strategic Plan. Fifteen participants, who consisted of IT experts and decision makers, were selected and interviewed to review the proposed model. A deductive qualitative analysis and pattern matching approach were carried out to analyse the data from the interviews, and further enhanced the conceptual model. Then, the enhanced KC-ICTPM model was verified by another five experts and practitioners. In addition, a KC checklist was developed for ICT project management in MPS based on the enhanced KC-ICTPM model. The checklist was developed to make the model explicit and practical to IT experts and decision makers. Therefore, this research developed two significant contributions – KC-ICTPM model and MPSKC checklist – for effective decision-making management in organisations, particularly within the context of ICT project management in Malaysian public sector.